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1991 Ford F-150 problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Ford F-150 is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 110,629 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-150 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
303
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
45
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
12-16mpg

The worst 1991 Ford F-150 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Ford F-150

Fuel pump 32Fuel leak 31Fire or smoke 28ABS 9Tire blowout 7

Recalls 3

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported August 2, 1993 · 1,131,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
A malfunctioning check valve within the fuel pump assembly causes a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When this occurs, the capacity of the second tank can be exceeded, causing fuel spillage.
Risk
Spilled fuel can result in a fire when exposed to asource of ignition.
Remedy
Replacement of the fuel pressure regulator and installation of redundant check valves.

Recall number 93V125000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported April 27, 1993 · 2,419 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Keys attached to the key ring of an ignition key while it is in the vehicle ignition can become lodged in the steering lock receiver as the steering wheel is being turned.
Risk
The lodged keys can cause loss of steering control, whichcan result in an accident when the vehicle is being used on the highway.
Remedy
A shield will be positioned between the steering wheel and the ignition switch and held in place by the steering lock band.

Recall number 93V066000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1991 Ford F-150

Defect investigations

Dual fuel tank crossflow/leakageOpened November 4, 1999, closed December 6, 2001

On july 14, 1993 ford filed a defect information report concerning fuel tank cross flow leakage on f-series light trucks and cab chassis built from july 22, 1989 through december 17, 1992.the remedy was to replace the fuel pressure regulator and install a check valve between each fuel supply line and fuel tank (2) to repair the supply side fuel cross flow problem (recall 93v‑125).odi opened rq98-008 on may 29, 1998 because of the large number of alleged remedy failures and reports of fuel cross flow on vehicles outside of the recall population.based onthe information received from ford on august 11, september 30, and december 15, 1998, and the increasing trend of remedy failures and out of scope crossflow reports, odi opened ea99-032 on november 4, 1999.the attached engineering analysis closing report fully describes the results of this investigation and reason for closing.the subject vehicles can experience fuel transfer from one tank to the other due to malfunctions in the fuel system.when fuel is pumped or returned to the non-operating tank (cross flow), the capacity of the non-operating tank can be exceeded, causing fuel to overflow past the filler cap, creating a fire potential.

EA99032

Ford f-series dual fuel tank leakageOpened May 29, 1998, closed November 4, 1999

These vehicles can experience fuel transfer from one tank to the other due to a malfunctioning fuel pump.from the information gathered to date, it appears that there can be multiple causes and/or a combination of causes for fuel cross flow and that the recall remedy may be inadequate.further investigation is needed.this investigation is upgraded to ea99-032.click on document search button for additional information.

RQ98008

Idle air spd ctrl vlv malfOpened July 30, 1993, closed August 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EA93022

Idle air spd ctrl vlv malfOpened March 2, 1993, closed July 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE93010

Fuel expulsionOpened January 7, 1993, closed August 20, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA93001

Fuel expulsionOpened September 9, 1992, closed January 7, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE92077

Front seat back failureOpened August 27, 1992, closed October 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA92029

Fnt reclning seat bck failOpened April 17, 1992, closed August 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92042

Loss of brake effectivenesOpened October 30, 1991, closed October 30, 1992

===

EA91044

Fuel expulsionOpened June 26, 1991, closed November 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

EA91031

Loss of brake effectivenesOpened May 23, 1991, closed October 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91077

Transmission fluid firesOpened April 9, 1991, closed July 5, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91064

Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Ford F-150 45

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 45 bulletins for the 1991 Ford F-150

1991 Ford F-150 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.9L 6‑cylRWD14-1517-1916
4.9L 6‑cyl4WD13-151714-15
5.0L 8‑cylRWD12-1314-1713-14
5.8L 8‑cylRWD111613
5.0L 8‑cyl4WD11-1214-1613
5.8L 8‑cyl4WD101512

What 1991 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 1991 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear fuel tank gauge began indicating that the rear tank was losing fuel abnormally fast. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that fuel was flowing from the rear fuel tank into the front fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump assembly check valve; however, the dealer declined to attempt to repair the vehicle due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 93V125000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but was unaware if the VIN was ever included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was later informed that the VIN was included in the recall and had been repaired already. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · Electrical · 83,100 miles · KY

The truck wont crank. When the key is turned off and removed some electrical systems still work and cause smoking. I have had to disconnect the battery in fear the truck will burn down. Ford was contacted about the issue and said they cant do anything because their records for recalls only go 10 years. Even though the truck has less than 84000 miles on it.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Fuel system · TX

Fuel spilling out around neck while parked at work, also rear fuel tank pumping gas into front gas tank while driving....

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Fuel system · 123,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford f-150. The contact stated that one of the tanks in the vehicle would not work and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but could not be repaired. The details of the diagnostic test could not be provided. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 01l008000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Updated 01/05/17

Filed Apr 6, 2016 · Fuel system · 46,300 miles · FL

While the engine is running, the dual tanks cross-flow into one another. One tank has over-filled the other tank and visa versa to include spillage. I have contacted the local dealer and ford about it but they say they can't do anything for me as far as a recall is concerned even though this issue was a safety recall issue in the past. I do not know if the previous owner addressed the recall but it is a problem right now. When I purchased the truck, I didn't know it had a cross-flow problem until someone told me something was leaking from under my truck. Since then, I have noticed that the fuel gauge goes down quicker than it should and when I switch tanks, the other tank has more fuel than it did. This issue happens regardless if in motion or standing still. If the track was fixed via a recall, they obviously didn't do it right or the "fix" didn't fix the problem. I can not afford to fix this issue even though it should have been fixed through the recall already.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 96,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel pump assembly caused a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When the failure occurred, the capacity of the second tank was exceeded and would cause fuel spillage. The contact believed that the vehicle was exhibiting the exact same failure indicated in the federal safety agency campaign number: 93v125000. (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The failure and current mileage was 96,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford f-150. The contact stated that a portion of the unused fuel from one tank was being returned to the second tank, causing a fuel spillage. The contact also stated that the fuel pressure was low. The contact was not diagnosed. The manufacture was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was serviced under recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 01i008000(fuel system, gasoline) however the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 145,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the fuel pump failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. The consumer stated the battery failed and the seal around the speedometer went bad.

Filed May 24, 2013 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford f-150. The contact stated that a portion of the unused fuel from one tank was being returned to the second tank, causing fuel spillage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pressure regulator and installation of redundant check valves needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 132,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 176,000 miles · KS · fire

I was driving to work and the engine caught fire.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1991 Ford F-150 before you buy

Compare the 1991 Ford F-150

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1991 Ford F-150

Is the 1991 Ford F-150 reliable?

Owners have filed 303 complaints about the 1991 Ford F-150, fewer than a typical F-150 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1991 Ford F-150?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 153 complaints, typically around 110,629 miles. Next is electrical (50).

How many recalls does the 1991 Ford F-150 have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and steering.

Was there a recall on the 1991 Ford F-150 fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 93V125000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford F-150 have the most fuel system problems?

The Ford F-150 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1993 (287 complaints), 1997 (246 complaints) and 1992 (245 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Ford F-150 get?

Official estimates for the 1991 Ford F-150 range from 12 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.9L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14-15 city and 17-19 highway.

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